A simple morning walk may help children reduce stress reactivity and could help them avoid cardiovascular problems in adulthood, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo studied 40 children between the ages of 10 and 14 one morning. Half took a simulated ride to school by sitting in a comfortable chair and watching a 10-minute slideshow of a suburban neighborhood. The other half walked one mile on a treadmill at a self-selected pace while carrying a backpack while watching a neighborhood slideshow. Following a 20-minute rest period, the children took a test while having their heart rate and blood pressure monitored.

They found that the children who took a simulated walk to school experienced smaller elevations in systolic blood pressure, heart rate and perceived stress while taking the test, compared to the children who had gotten a simulated ride to school.

"The cardiovascular disease process begins in childhood, so if we can find some way of stopping or slowing that process, that would provide an important health benefit," said senior investigator James Roemmich. "We know that physical activity has a protective effect on the development of cardiovascular disease, and one way it may be doing so is by reducing stress reactivity."

Researchers say periods of physical activity throughout the day would be beneficial for reducing stress among students.